The Role Bearings Play In Modern Life

Bearings are used everywhere in modern society. They are the invisible heroes inside many mechanical devices like electric motors, skateboards and furniture. Bearings make smooth and quiet spin or rotation possible. Without bearings, we would be constantly replacing parts that wore out from friction. In this article, we will discuss Fishing Reel Bearings.

Brief Introduction Of Fishing Reel Bearings

Fishing reel bearings are located throughout both spinning and baitcasting reels wherever there are components that must spin/rotate. Ball bearings are the most common type of bearing found in today’s fishing reels. The small ball bearings in fishing reels serve the same purpose in baitcasting or spinning reels as they do in any other mechanical device - reduction of friction between moving parts. So they fall into the classification of "anti-friction bearings".
Anti-friction bearings operate under the principle of rolling friction, where balls or cylinders roll between two metal sleeves to overcome friction. The sleeves are actually round grooved tracks that the balls or rollers ride between, which are called races (or rings). Friction is reduced in this type of bearing because only two points on each rolling member actually contact the races at any one point in time. Roller bearings are typically used in lower speed but higher load applications because more of the roller is in contact with each race. Whereas, ball bearings are used in higher speed and lighter load applications because they have less friction. Ball bearings may also be equipped with shields or seals, which cover part of the area between the races.

Components Of Fishing Reel Bearings

Most reels today, particularly high grade reels whether spinning or baitcasting, use precision, stainless steel "radial ball bearings" though more and more solid and ceramic coated bearings are making the scene. The radial ball bearing units we're talking about consist of an inner and outer ring within which is a cage, made of plastic or steel, containing a number of precision balls. The cage functions to keep the balls separated and evenly distributed. These fishing reel bearing units are usually of deep-groove construction which accommodates both radial and axial loads common with fishing reels.

What Makes Quality Fishing Reel Bearings?

The "rolling action" of fishing reel bearings or ball bearings in any other device, which is what defines their quality, depends on the roundness, precision, and hardness of its components. High quality ball bearings like those found in upper end reels have extremely close tolerances as defined by ABEC standards. This translates into very little play and almost friction free rotation. Less expensive, mid-end reels may have bearings made of chrome plated steel, chrome steel or other materials. The function and durability of these bearings falls some short of "precision" stainless steel or ceramic ball bearings. ISUTAMI supplies both high-end (stainless steel bearings) and mid-end (chrome steel) Fishing Reel Bearings. We have obtained Audited Supplier Certificate issued by SGS. All our suppliers must be ISO9001 certificated and strictly comply with the standards; all products should be forwarded to our Quality Control Center and strictly inspected before shipment, to guarantee zero defects of sold products. Through our ISO 9001 quality management system we strive for 100% customer satisfaction by ensuring that all products and services delivered to customers meet expectations, requirements and specifications.

Stainless Steel Bearings for Fishing Reel

SSMR85ZZ

SSMR148ZZ

SS687ZZ

SS688ZZ

SS689ZZ

Maintenance And Installation Guide For Fishing Reel Bearings

Maintenance is crucial to bearings. A bearing can achieve better performance and longer life span if properly maintained. ISUTAMI Fishing Reel Bearings are supplied pre-lubricated. However, if your bearings have worked for quite a long time and are not performing as well as before, you need to relubricate them. The followings are the maintenance and installation guide.

The first step is cleaning. If your bearings have a metal shield on them, you do not have to remove the shield to clean them. But if your bearings are of sealed type, you should remove the seals to gain maximum performance. Here are the instructions to remove the seals: 1) Use an awl or dental tool, locate the inside edge of the outer race; 2) Gently wedge the tool under the edge of the seal; 3) Completely remove seals. Then fill a small glass cup or vial with sufficient bearing cleaner or degreaser to submerge your bearings completely. Place the shielded bearings, or the sealed bearings with the seals removed, into the solution. You can also use a small ultrasonic cleaner if you have one.

Soaking time may vary depending on whether you have grease or oil in your bearings or if you are using an ultrasonic, but a few hours of soaking should be more than enough. You can now either blow your bearings dry with compressed air or allow them to air dry for up to 24 hours. For maximum performance the bearings should be thoroughly dry. At this point you can spin test the bearing on an awl or any sharp pointed tool. If the bearings do not spin to your satisfaction you may need to repeat the cleaning and drying process.

To install the seals on your bearing, simply lay the seal on top of the bearing and press it down with the tip of your finger. Install one seal at a time checking that neither seal diminishes the spin speed of the bearing. If either seal slows the bearing's speed, simply remove it, reinstall it, and check it again. Because ISUTAMI Fishing Reel Bearings are of non-contact type, the bearing's speed should not, and will not, be any different when the shields or seals are properly installed.

The final step is lubrication. Fishing Reel bearings generally do not require a lot of lubrication if they are being used for casting. Trolling Reel bearings may require a thicker lubrication depending on the environment they are being used in. Be sure to not over-lube. Over lubricating will kill the bearings performance in a casting reel. Use a light drop of a low viscosity lubrication. If you are using a shielded bearing or a sealed bearing you can apply oil to the bearing with the seals/shields intact. If you are using a contact sealed bearing or grease you will need to remove the seals/shields to apply the lubrication.